If you’re thinking of making a career move either to or within New Zealand, a little bit of research can go a long way. While some parts of the country are rebounding after a turbulent 2024, finding a job in some areas requires a bit more patience.
Even with the ups and downs of the economy, employers across the country are actively seeking skilled individuals, especially in industries that drive our country's growth and innovation.
Let’s face it, 2024 was a grim year to be a job seeker. According to Seek.co.nz, job listings in 2024 were down every month except for October. Luckily, 2025 has been a lot better. In fact, the tide finally seems to be turning as job ads are on the rise nationally.
For the first time in over three years, New Zealand has recorded four consecutive months of growth in job ads. September alone delivered another 1% boost, which has boosted annual growth to 6% year-on-year.
Although things are bouncing back, it’s important to note that the recovery is not evenly spread.
Finding a job in New Zealand will depend on which sector you are working in. Here are the standout sectors for New Zealand job seekers.
If you are a builder or a tradie, you are in luck. The construction sector made the largest gains in job postings this year. There was a 4% rise in September job postings and a massive 30% year-on-year surge in construction-related categories.
Demand is strong for project managers and plant and machinery operators in particular.
Banking and financial services also enjoyed a strong month, rising 5% (the fastest month-on-month growth of any sector) and up 10% across the quarter.
Job ads in this space are now at their highest point in two years.
Hospitality and tourism continued their upward trajectory with a 4% monthly rise and remain well above their pre-2019 levels.
The top cities for finding a job may surprise you!
Christchurch stands out as the clearest career hotspot right now. According to SEEK data from October 2025, job ads in Canterbury have grown steadily over the past 12 months and are 17% higher year-on-year.
Much of this demand is being driven by construction, engineering, manufacturing, and infrastructure roles, all areas where real projects are in motion.
Keep in mind, the worker supply isn’t as high in Christchurch when compared to other major centres. For example, applications in Christchurch are up 3% per job ad compared to a whopping 19% in Auckland. This means that candidates, especially in trades or project management, face less competition than in other cities.
According to CoreLogic, mortgage repayments now account for about 33% of gross household income, while rent covers 22% of tenants’ income. On average, it takes 8.7 years to save a housing deposit in Christchurch.
Get the full breakdown on the cost of living in Christchurch guide.
The Otago region as a whole is a rising star, but finding a job here is more complex. Similar to Canterbury, the region is showing roughly 17% annual growth in job ads, though its month-to-month growth has been more volatile. While opportunities do exist, it’s a good idea to put off moving until you have secured a job.
Roles in hospitality, tourism, education, construction, and some creative sectors are particularly active there. However, that attractiveness is also driving competition. Applications per job ad are up 12% year-on-year.
According to CoreLogic, mortgage repayments now account for around 29% of gross household income, while rent accounts for around 22% of tenants’ income. On average, it takes 8.8 years to save a housing deposit in Dunedin.
Find out about the cost of living in Queenstown and the wider Otago region.
SEEK data shows a solid uptick in job volume, though applications per job ad in Waikato are up about 16%, signalling rising competitor interest. Still, for people with niche or more senior experience, Hamilton offers very real upside without the sky-high cost of Auckland.
Strategic location is Hamilton’s strength. Positioned within the Golden Triangle between Auckland and Tauranga, it benefits from growing logistics, agritech, biotech, and food-production demand.
According to CoreLogic, mortgage repayments now account for approximately 34% of gross household income, while rent comes to around 20% of tenants’ income. On average, it takes 8.9 years to save a housing deposit in Hamilton.
For many job seekers, living in Tauranga offers more than just work. It’s known for its warmth, the outdoors and easy access to Auckland and the Waikato. Compared to larger cities, Tauranga tends to offer lower rental stress and shorter commutes. It’s ideal for people who want a balance of a meaningful career with a laid-back pace of life.
Tourism, hospitality, trades, and construction roles are in high demand, as reflected in the regional job ad growth in those sectors. Job postings are up 3% month-on-month, but 7% for the entire year.
According to CoreLogic, mortgage repayments account for approximately 45% of gross household income, while rent takes up around 27% of tenants' income. On average, it takes 11 years to save a housing deposit in Tauranga.
Auckland remains on the list because it’s still the largest single job market in New Zealand, and therefore, it’s impossible to ignore. With over a million residents, your chances of finding a job are always going to be better in Auckland than in most other places in New Zealand (unless you work on a farm).
Finance, tech, corporate headquarters, and high-level roles continue to generate a big share of job ads nationally. That said, it’s very competitive. Applications per ad have increased by around 17% year-on-year. If you're targeting growth roles, leadership, or specialist functions, you may be compelled to look in Auckland, but you’ll need to be strategic and differentiated to stand out.
According to CoreLogic, mortgage repayments now account for approximately 44% of gross household income, while rent takes up around 21% of tenants’ income. On average, it takes 10.3 years to save a housing deposit in Auckland.
Get a full breakdown in our guide unpacking the cost of living in Auckland.
Wellington may be a major centre, but 2025 has been pretty tough on our capital city. It’s traditionally a hub for public service, comms, and policy roles, which have all been in short supply over the past 18 months.
Given the public-sector restructuring (from mid-2024-2025), hiring has struggled to make as much of a comeback as some towns in the South Island. The city's reliance on these core industries means that it isn’t experiencing a rebound across a wide range of industries.
Moving to a new city for work is an exciting chance to grow your career and experience life in a fresh environment. One way to make your move smooth is to hire a professional team to handle all the logistics.
At Wise Move, we make it easy to find trusted and experienced movers with transparent pricing you can rely on. Whether you’re moving from Auckland to Otago or Christchurch to Tauranga, book the best moving teams in your area. These vetted moving professionals offer everything, from packing and transporting your belongings to moving precious cargo, like your pets, safely and affordably.
